2023 Election: Politicians Stock Pilling Arms, Light Weapons In Southern Taraba

Security sources are expressing concerns over influx of small arms and light weapons among non state actors in Southern part of Taraba State ahead of the 2023 general elections, Taraba Truth and Facts gathered.

Top security security officials in the state told Taraba Truth and Facts Newspaper that some politicians seeking elective positions in the next election are stock pilling arms in the zone.

"Southern part of Taraba State is being marked as a hotbed  of political violence before, during and after elections, many non state actors are in possession of small arms to be used during the electioneering process."

The source said security agencies are rising to the challenge to ensure peace and stability during the electioneering period but some elected public office holders are undermining the efforts for selfish gains.

The source said the report of high presence of arms in Wukari, Takum and Donga  have been escalated to office of the National Security Adviser for  further action.

"Most of the arms are coming in from the troubled areas  of Cameroon and some part of South East; politicians are arming youths and building up armories to be used during election. The tension in the zone is hightened with different political group capable of unleashing violence that could undermine the process of election in 2023."

Recall that last December the Nigeria Customs Service, Joint Border Patrol Team, Sector 3, North Central Zone, has reportedly intercepted 550 pump-action gun cartridges in Adikpo Junction, Benue State.

The Coordinator of the JBPT comprising Kwara, Niger, Benue and Kogi states, Comptroller Olugboyega Peters,  said the ammunition was packed in 22 bags, said it was further concealed in two black Bagco sacks in a J5 bus.

He said, "Based on an intelligence report, the sector intercepted a commercial J5 bus around Adikpo Junction, Benue State, heading for Taraba State. On searching the vehicle, two black Bagco sacks were found to contain pump-action cartridges suspected to have been smuggled into the country.

"The ammunition, driver and the suspect were arrested immediately and brought to Sector 3 headquarters, Ilorin, Kwara State, and after preliminary investigation, as the law of jurisdiction demands, they were all handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Benue State, for further investigation."

Peters said investigation revealed that the vehicle was coming from Onitsha in Anambra State and heading for Taraba State.